Recording and processing utility commodity usage

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a recording node ( 100 ) at a consummer site that is used for the receiving, storing, determining and/or sending of utility commodity information. The recording node ( 100 ) is an integral part of networks ( 370 ) or can access networks ( 370 ) for the receiving and transmitting of information. The recording node ( 100 ) is part of a network process control system ( 300 ) that includes other nodes, such as a controller ( 200 ), computer ( 320 ), monitor ( 330 ), display ( 340 ) and communication node ( 360 ). The recording node ( 100 ) receives data on utility commodity flow rates, commodity pressure and environmental factors; stores the data; performs determinations on the data; and sends utility commodity information over the network ( 370 ) to consumers ( 380 ) and/or third parties ( 381 ). The utility commodity may be water, electricity and/or gas. The information the consumers ( 380 ) and third parties ( 381 ) receive over the network ( 370 ) from the recording node ( 100 ) and other nodes assists them in their management of process systems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is management systems, such asirrigation management systems and utility commodity management systems.More particularly, the invention relates to a recording node useful inthe receiving, storing, determining and/or sending of irrigationinformation and utility commodity information and to management systemsusing such a recording node. The recording node can receive data fromother devices and send data to other devices in a network processcontrol system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In arid areas of the world water is becoming one of the mostprecious natural resources. Meeting future water needs in these aridareas may require aggressive conservation measures. Most individuals areaware of some of the steps they can take to conserve water, such asinstalling low or ultra low flush toilets, installing water savingshower heads, sweeping rather than hosing off the driveway, checking forleaks in the water system and irrigation system, and irrigating thelandscape efficiently. However, with the last two steps, manyindividuals may not be aware of leaks in their water lines or irrigationsystems and/or they are not aware of what measures they can take toirrigate their landscapes more efficiently.

[0003] Many automatic irrigation controllers have been developed, andknown irrigation controllers range from simple devices thatcontrol-watering times based upon fixed schedules, to sophisticateddevices that vary the watering schedules according to local geographyand climatic conditions.

[0004] With respect to the simpler types of irrigation controllers, ahomeowner typically sets a watering schedule that involves specific runtimes and days for each of a plurality of stations, and the controllerexecutes the same schedule regardless of the season or weatherconditions. From time to time the homeowner may manually adjust thewatering schedule, but such adjustments are usually only made a fewtimes during the year, and are based upon the homeowner's perceptionsrather than the actual watering needs of the landscape. One change isoften made in the late Spring when a portion of the yard becomes browndue to a lack of water. Another change is often made in the late Fallwhen the homeowner assumes that the vegetation does not require as muchwatering. These changes to the watering schedule are typicallyinsufficient to achieve efficient watering. Further, the homeowner willlikely not change their irrigation practices until they are made awareof how inefficient their watering practices are.

[0005] More sophisticated irrigation controllers use evapotranspirationrates for determining the amount of water to be applied to a landscape.Evapotranspiration is the water lost by direct evaporation from the soiland plant and by transpiration from the plant surface. Irrigationcontrollers that derive all or part of the irrigation schedule from ETodata (ET irrigation controllers) are discussed in U.S. Pat. No.5,479,339 issued December 1995, to Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,861issued March 1992 to Hopkins, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,787 issuedJune 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,937 issued July 1993 both toEvelyn-Veere, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,855, issued May 1993, to Marian, andU.S. Pat. No. 5,696,671, issued December 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,302,issued February 1999, both to Oliver and U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,061, issuedAugust, 2000 to Addink. However, even with these ET irrigation systems,the consumer will generally modify the irrigation schedule to apply morethan or less than the scheduled amounts based on ETo. For example,during the year if any dry spots are observed in the yard, the consumerwill likely change the controller setting to increase the amount ofwater that would be applied and not change it back to the originalsetting. A modification of the irrigation system to improve distributionuniformity might have corrected the dry spot problem in the landscapewithout requiring the consumer to change the controller setting. As withthe simpler systems, mentioned in the previous paragraph, so also withET controllers the consumers will likely not change their irrigationpractices until they are made aware of how inefficient their wateringpractices are. Although, the watering practices of consumers, with ETcontrollers, are generally far more efficient than consumers withsimpler systems, the irrigation efficiency of most of their irrigationsystems can also be improved.

[0006] When watering restrictions are imposed on the use of water byconsumers it becomes even more essential to efficiently use the waterthat is allocated. It may mean the difference between plant survival andplant death. Additionally, when rate structures are imposed on the useof water it would be very beneficial to the user to know, on a timelybasis, the quantity of water they are using so they may reduce waterusage thereby reducing the use of water priced at the higher rates. Thisis true with any utility commodity, whether water, electricity or gas,to which a rate structure is applied by the service provider.

[0007] Flow meters are used with some irrigation systems and arediscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,131 issued June 1980, to Barash, U.S.Pat. No. 5,176,163 issued January 1993, to Al-Hamlan, U.S. Pat. No.5,971,011 issued October 1999, to Price and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,097,861,5,229,937 and 6,102,061 mentioned above. Irrigation systems discussed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,209,131, 5,176,163, 5,229,937, and 6,102,061 use theflow meter primarily to set limits to the quantity of water that will beapplied by the irrigation system. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,097,861 and5,971,011 the flow meters are primarily used for leak detection. Asindicated above, flow meters are primarily used for specific purposes,such as valve control and leak detection, with very little feedback tothe water user on how they may improve the efficiency of theirirrigation system based on water flow measurements.

[0008] What is required is a process by which the consumer is made awareof the quantity of water that is applied to their landscapes and thequantity of water that should be applied to their landscapes based onthe plants water requirements. This knowledge, along withrecommendations from irrigation specialists should assist the consumertoward achieving irrigation of the landscape based on the plant's waterrequirements. Furthermore, it would be beneficial if the same processcould be used to detect anomalies with the irrigation systems and withother water using devices at the irrigation site, including water usingdevices in the home. Additionally, it would be beneficial to theconsumer if the process could be used to improve the efficiency in theuse of other utility commodities, such as, electricity and gas used atthe consumer's site.

[0009] The present invention will meet the above listed needs andadditionally will provide for the transmission of the utility commodityusage data to the entity that provides the utility commodity so theentity can use the data for billing purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Systems and methods are provided in which a recording node at aconsumer site receives, stores, determines and sends utility commodityinformation and to management systems that use such a recording node.The recording node at a consumer site comprises: a receiving device thatreceives at least one of utility commodity flow data, utility commoditypressure data, evapotranspiration (ETo) data, and environmental data; astorage device that stores the data; a determining device thatdetermines usage data; and a sending device that transmits usage data toa consumer and/or third party. The usage data comprises at least one ofutility commodity usage, utility commodity usage anomalies, preferredirrigation value, actual irrigation value, and results from thedetermination of a mathematical relationship between the preferredirrigation value and the actual irrigation value.

[0011] Preferably the recording node is embodied in an irrigationcontroller. Alternatively the recording node may be embodied in apersonal computer or any other device including a standalone device.

[0012] The utility commodity may be water, electricity and/or gas. Theflow data is preferably received from a utility meter but some flow datamay be received from a flow meter separate from the utility meter. Theflow data received may be raw data or processed data with the flow databeing indicative of utility commodity usage at the site.

[0013] The received data is preferably from an irrigated site.Alternatively, it is contemplated that the methods and systems of thepresent invention would apply to a non-irrigated site where there isnon-irrigation water, electricity and gas usage. The site may be aresidential, commercial, industrial, public or any other site. Thereceived data is preferably obtained from devices or sources local tothe site. Alternatively, it is contemplated the devices or sources maybe distal to the site but data received from the devices or sourcesapplies to utility commodity usage and/or conditions at the site.

[0014] The recording node preferably receives most of the data over acommunication network. Additionally or alternatively the recording nodemay receive some data directly from devices and/or have some datamanually inputted in the recording node. For example, the data from theutility meter and sensors is preferably received via a direct hardwireconnection but may be received by any suitable wireless link, such asoptical, radio, hydraulic or ultrasonic. The ETo data and someenvironmental data is preferably received over the network andpreferably via the Internet but may be received by telephone line,radio, pager, two-way pager, cable, and any other suitable communicationmechanism.

[0015] The ETo data received by the recording node is preferably currentETo data but may be estimated ETo data or historical ETo data.

[0016] It is contemplated that the environmental data is fromenvironmental factors, such as air temperature, soil temperature, solarradiation, humidity, wind, cloud cover, rainfall and so forth.

[0017] The storage device for storing the utility commodity flow data,utility commodity pressure data, evapotranspiration (ETo) data, andenvironmental data is preferably a non-volatile memory.

[0018] The determining device is preferably a microprocessor. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention the microprocessor isprogrammed to determine the utility commodity usage during a period oftime, utility commodity signatures of a plurality of utility commodityusing devices and/or the utility commodity usage anomalies of aplurality of utility commodity using devices. Additionally, themicroprocessor is programmed to determine the preferred irrigation valuefrom the received ETo data, crop coefficient values, irrigationefficiency values and other data inputted and/or received by therecording node. Furthermore, the microprocessor is programmed todetermine the applied irrigation value by dividing the irrigation flowdata by the area being irrigated. The area being irrigated is preferablypreprogrammed in the microprocessor and is preferably obtained from adigital measurement system but may be obtained by any means. Themicroprocessor advantageously derives a mathematical relationshipbetween the preferred irrigation value and the actual irrigation value.The mathematical relationship may be a ratio of the preferred to theactual irrigation value, the difference between the preferred and actualirrigation values, or any other suitable relationship between thepreferred and actual irrigation values.

[0019] The period of time used in determining the utility commodityusage, the preferred irrigation value and the actual irrigation value isat least ten seconds but may be for any suitable period of timeincluding one day, seven days, fourteen days, and so forth.

[0020] The sending device is preferably a microprocessor disposed in therecording node that is programmed to transmit utility commodity usage,utility commodity usage anomalies, preferred irrigation values, actualirrigation values, results from the determination of a mathematicalrelationship between the preferred irrigation values and the actualirrigation values and any other useful information to consumers andthird parties. The information is transmitted over the network andpreferably transmitted via the Internet but may also be transmitted bytelephone line, radio, pager, two-way pager, cable, and any othersuitable communication mechanism.

[0021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription that describes a preferred embodiment of the invention,along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals representlike components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a schematic of a recording node according to an aspectof the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a schematic of a recording node embodied in anirrigation controller according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a network process control systemaccording to an aspect of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an irrigation system according to anaspect of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps involved in a preferred embodimentof the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of steps involved in the use of thesignature method in detecting water flow anomalies according to anaspect of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of steps involved in the use of therecording node by a utility commodity provider.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of steps involved in the use of therecording node in the accommodating of imposed utility commodityrestriction requirements and in the exercising of judicious use of theutility commodity when the utility commodity provider applies aconservation or peak pricing program to the utility commodity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In FIG. 1 a recording node 100 generally includes the following:a non-volatile memory 110, a microprocessor 120, and an input/output(I/O) circuitry 130, connected in a conventional manner. The I/Ocircuitry 130 permits the recording node to receive and send data andinformation to other devices via a network (See FIG. 3, 370). Therecording node 100 is connected with the network through acommunications port 140 by a serial, parallel or other communicationsconnection 141. The recording node 100 receives data from a water meter150, electric meter 151, and/or a gas meter 152. The recording node 100receives the utility commodity data from a residential site, acommercial site, an agricultural site or any other site. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention the recording node 100 also receivespressure data from a pressure sensor 153 that measures water pressure inthe water line. Each of these components by itself is well known in theelectronic industry, with the exception of the programming of themicroprocessor in accordance with the functionality set forth herein.There are hundreds of suitable chips that can be used for this purpose.At present, experimental versions have been made using a generic Intel80C54 chip, and it is contemplated that such a chip would besatisfactory for production models.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the recordingnode has one or more common communication internal bus(es). The bus canuse a common or custom protocol to communicate between devices. Thereare several suitable communication protocols, which can be used for thispurpose. At present, experimental versions have been made using an I²Cserial data communication, and it is contemplated that thiscommunication method would be satisfactory for production models. Thisbus is used for internal data transfer to and from the EEPROM memory,and is used for communication with peripheral devices and measurementequipment including but not limited to irrigation flow meters andirrigation pressure sensors.

[0032] Preferably the recording node is embodied in an irrigationcontroller but it may be embodied in a personal computer or other deviceincluding a standalone device. FIG. 2 is a schematic of an irrigationcontroller 200 with a recording node 100. Some of the devices present inan irrigation controller 200 are also essential devices in a recordingnode 100. This includes the memory 110, the microprocessor 120, and anI/O 130 circuitry with the communications port 140, and serial, parallelor other communication connections 141. Other devices included in theirrigation controller are manual input devices 220 through 222 (buttonsand/or knobs), a display screen 210, electrical connectors 260 which areconnected to a plurality of irrigation stations 270 and a power supply160. The irrigation controller may receive data from sensors other thanthe utility meters 150-152 and the water pressure sensor 153 includingdata from a rain detector and/or other environmental sensors 154.

[0033]FIG. 3 illustrates a network process control system 300 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The network process controlsystem 300 includes management elements, such as; recording node 100,controller node 200, computer node 320, monitor node 330, display node340, alarm node 350, communication node 360, and a network 370.Preferably all of the nodes may advantageously receive data orinformation over the network 370 from other nodes or send data orinformation over the network 370 to other nodes. The network processcontrol system may vary and have more or less elements than those listedabove. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is nocentral processor when using the recording node in a network processcontrol system.

[0034] Preferably the recording node 100 receives data directly from thegas meter 152, electric meter 151, water meter 150, pressure sensor 153,a rain detector and/or other environmental sensors 154 via a hardwireconnection. Alternatively, it may receive the data from the abovedevices through a wireless connection, such as optical, radio, hydraulicor ultrasonic. The data received by the recording node from the abovelisted devices may be any combination of raw and processed data. “Rawdata” is defined herein to mean pulse or other data outputted by themeters and sensors and otherwise unprocessed except for formattingchanges such as conversion from analog to digital, inclusion ofappropriate signals to conform to parallel or serial transmissionstandards, and so forth. Raw data is preferably closely indicative ofutility usage and sensor measurements, and may, for example, includedigital, analog, pulse, or binary data taken directly from the utilitymeters 150-152 or sensors 153-154. Processed data is data other than rawdata and preferably is also closely indicative of utility usage, and mayinclude, for example, encrypted, daily, weekly, or monthly averagesdetermined from the raw data.

[0035] Preferably the ETo data and weather data 390 will be receivedfrom the communication node 360 via the network 370 and preferably viathe Internet but may also be received by telephone line, radio, pager,two-way pager, cable, and any other suitable communication mechanism.Alternatively it is contemplated that the recording node may receive theETo data or data from which the ETo data is determined directly fromsensors at the irrigation site or other direct mechanisms that do notinvolve the network. The ETo data, from which the preferred irrigationvalues are derived, is preferably current data, where the term “current”is used to mean within the last two weeks. It is preferred, however,that the current weather information is from the most recent few days,and even more preferably from the current day. Regardless, ETo data maybe actual ETo data received by the recording node 100 or calculated ETodata derived from weather factors received by the recording node 100.Alternatively, the ETo data may be historic ETo data that is stored inthe memory of the recording node 100.

[0036] The controller node 200 and monitor node 330 interact with theirrigation system 400. The controller node 200 controls the operation ofthe irrigation system 400. The monitor node 330 monitors the operationof the irrigation system 400. The controller node 200 may also interactdirectly with the other process systems 410. A few examples of otherprocess systems 410 include, utility commodity billing systems; utilitycommodity anomaly detection systems in addition to anomalies that aredetected with the irrigation systems; compliance with utility commodityrestrictions; improved efficiency in gas and electricity usage systems,especially in manufacturing processes; and so forth.

[0037] The computer node 320 and the monitor node 330 interact with theother process systems 410. The computer node 320 may also interactdirectly with the irrigation system 400.

[0038] The computer node 320 can either be a dedicated computer thatinteracts only with other process systems 410 and/or irrigation systems400 or a personal computer that interacts with other process systems 410and/or irrigation systems 400 and performs other functions. It iscontemplated that there may be two computers in the network processcontrol system, one being a dedicated computer and one a personalcomputer. The controller node 200 and the computer node 320 can receivefrom or send data over the network 370 to other nodes.

[0039] It is contemplated that the display node 340 will display toconsumers 380 and/or third parties 381 information from the recordingnode 100 on utility commodity usage, utility commodity usage anomalies,preferred irrigation value, actual irrigation value, and results fromthe determination of a mathematical relationship between the preferredirrigation value and the actual irrigation value. Additionally thedisplay node 340 will display other information, such as that receivedby the monitor node 330 from the irrigation system 400 or the otherprocess systems 410 and any other information from other devices thatwould assist in the management of the irrigation system 400 or themanagement of the other process systems 410. Other information mayinclude problems with the irrigation system, water-pricing informationfrom the service provider, restrictions on water usage, and so forth.The data is preferably sent to the consumer 380 and third parties 381over the network 370 and preferably by Internet connections.Additionally or alternatively, the data may be sent by wirelessconnections, including radio, pager, two-way pager, or TV carrier wave,or by wired connections such as telephone line, cable, and by any othersuitable communication mechanism.

[0040] The consumer 380 is a human being that uses the utility locally,or is responsible for local monitoring or controlling of the usage ofthe utility at the property. For a residential property, the consumer380 is usually the homeowner or a renter. In a commercial setting, theconsumer 380 is usually an employee of the property owner, manager,leaser, or renter. Formal title of consumers 380 is not important, asthe consumer 380 at a commercial property may be referred to as anengineer, building supervisor, etc.

[0041] Third party 381 is a legal person other than the consumer 380that has an interest in utility commodity usage by the consumer 380. Athird party 381 need not be a physical person, and may well be a waterdistrict or other government agency, a service provider, or anindividual or company involved in the care or management of theproperty, but not locally situated at the property.

[0042] Displays can be any reasonable size, shape, composition, and soforth. Display 210 in FIG. 2 displays numbers and characters, and is anLED or liquid crystal type display. Other displays may be located awayfrom the irrigation controller 200, such as in a personal computer 320.It is also contemplated that the information may be communicated to theconsumer 380 and third parties 381 through means other than liquidcrystal type displays, such as through printed material, audiblemessages, such as via a telephone system or any other suitable meansthat would communicate the information to consumers 380 and thirdparties 381.

[0043] The alarm node 350 may be used in the network process controlsystem 300 to alert the consumer 380 and/or third parties 381 whenanomalies occur in the operation of the irrigation system 400 or in theoperation of other process systems 410. For example, the anomalies maybe irrigation flow anomalies, such as broken irrigation heads or brokenirrigation lines that result in excessive actual irrigation values beingrecorded compared to preferred irrigation values. Additionally, theanomalies may be associated with gas or electric usage, such as a gasleak indicated by excessive gas usage or an electrical short indicatedby excessive electricity usage. The anomalies may be anomalies notassociated with the recording node, for example, irrigation system 400or other process system 410 operation anomalies that are detected by themonitor node 330.

[0044] The alarm may be through any suitable means, including, forexample, a flashing display, an audible alarm, microprocessor generatedinformation with highlighted actual irrigation values compared topreferred irrigation values that were generated by the recording node100, and other alarm methods.

[0045] In FIG. 4 an irrigation controller 200 operates two irrigationstations 410. It will be understood that these stations 410 areindicative of any two or more irrigation stations, and are not to beinterpreted as limiting the number or configuration of stations. Amongother things, the controller 200, activates solenoids (not shown) thatopen station valves 430 to allow irrigation water to flow from the watersource 312 to be distributed to the various irrigation stations 410 andthereby irrigate the landscapes or crops through one or more (four areshown for each irrigation station but it may be any number) irrigationsprinkler heads 420. The recording node 100 receives the irrigation flowdata and water pressure data from the water meter 150 and pressuresensor 153, respectively. The recording node 100 can interact with otherelements of the network process control system, including thecontroller, through the network 370.

[0046]FIG. 5 is an example of an irrigation management system that usesinformation from the recording node. In step 500 the recording nodereceives ETo data. The ETo data may be actual ETo data received by therecording node or calculated ETo data derived from weather factorsreceived by the recording node. Additionally, the ETo data may behistoric ETo data that is stored in the memory of the microprocessor.

[0047] In step 520 the microprocessor determines the preferredirrigation value for a specific area of land during a period of time.The specific area of land is preferably preprogrammed in themicroprocessor of the recording node but may be obtained, at the timethe determination is performed, from a distal source over the network.Preferably the landscape area is obtained from a digital measurementsystem 510. This will generally be a cost effective method for obtainingthe landscape area from numerous irrigation sites.

[0048] It is contemplated that in addition to ETo data 500 and land area510, the preferred irrigation value determination 520 is based on otherinformation stored and or received by the recording node that may helpin the determination of the best estimate of the water requirements forthe plants grown at the irrigated site. Other information may includesuch factors as, a crop coefficient value 511, an irrigation efficiencyvalue 512, and rainfall data 513.

[0049] Advantageously the period of time that the preferred irrigationvalue is determined over would be one day. However, it may be a timeperiod as little as ten seconds or as much as a year. It is additionallycontemplated that the preferred irrigation value may be a plurality ofperiods of time, for example, daily periods may be accumulated to arriveat a preferred irrigation value for a month time period, seasonal timeperiod, etc.

[0050] Preferably the ETo data, whether actual, calculated or historic,received in step 500 and used in determining the preferred irrigationvalue step 520 will also be used to affect an irrigation scheduleexecuted by the irrigation controller 200, FIG. 4. See the followingissued and/or pending patents that discuss in greater detail the use ofETo in the irrigating of landscapes: U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,061 issuedAugust, 2000 to Addink and pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/603,104,Ser. No. 09/503,104, PCT/US00/18705, PCT/US00/40685, PCT/US00/22673, andPCT/US00/22819. The disclosures of each of these applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0051] The irrigation flow, received by the recording node, is measuredduring the actual irrigation of the area of land that was used in thedetermining of the preferred irrigation value and at least for a periodof time equal to the period of time used in the determining of thepreferred irrigation value, step 530.

[0052] In step 540 an actual irrigation value is determined for thetotal water applied during the period of time. It is contemplated thatthe determination of water applied may additionally be determined for aperiod less than the period of time used for the determination of thepreferred irrigation value. For example, if the water flow that occursduring the irrigating of a specific site is known to be an approximateamount for a specific period of time, such as during each minute, thenthe flow of water for a minute may be determined. If the water flow isless than or more than set limits, an alarm may be sent to the consumeror a third party (See 350, FIG. 3) and the irrigation system checked forany anomalies. This might result in the early detection of an irrigationanomaly, which may provide savings to the consumer and/or prevent damageto the plants, for example, if no water was applied to an area due to astuck valve or if flooding occurred due to a broken line

[0053] In step 550 a mathematical relationship is determined between thepreferred irrigation value and the actual irrigation value for theirrigating of a specific area of land during a period of time. Themathematical relationship may be a ratio of the preferred to the actualirrigation value, the difference between the preferred and actualirrigation values, or any other suitable relationship between thepreferred and actual irrigation values.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the irrigationinformation from the recorder node, including the irrigation flow data,preferred irrigation value, actual irrigation value and/or results fromthe determination of the mathematical relationship between the preferredirrigation value and the actual irrigation value is sent to the consumerand/or third parties, step 560.

[0055] Preferably the irrigation application information will bedetermined, stored and displayed for the consumer and third parties inordinary units, such as gallons, acre inches, and so forth. Irrigationapplication information can additionally or alternatively be determined,stored and displayed as percentages, such as the preferred irrigationvalue is a percent of the actual irrigation value, or in any othersuitable ratio or amount terms.

[0056] The consumer 380, FIG. 3 may then modify or set subsequentirrigation applications based on the information received from therecording node along with information received from other elements ofthe network process control system. For example, if the preferredirrigation value is less than the actual irrigation value thensubsequent irrigation times may be reduced which will reduce thepotential waste of water. If dry spots occur with a reduction in theirrigation amount but the actual irrigation value still exceeds thepreferred irrigation value, the irrigation system should be checked fordistribution uniformity since some areas of the landscape are receivingexcessive amounts of water while other areas are turning brown.

[0057] Using the relationship of a preferred irrigation value to anactual irrigation value may also be a tool that water districts, duringa time when there is a water shortage, could use to motivate irrigationusers to practice efficient irrigating of their landscapes based on ETodata.

[0058] Signature data may help in the detection of flow anomalies. FIG.6 is a flow chart of basic steps involved in the use of water signaturesto detect flow anomalies and it is contemplated the recording node willbe an integral part in the use of water signatures to detect flowanomalies. In step 600, there are daily executions of water usingdevices at water use sites. These water use sites can be residential,commercial, industrial or other water use sites. The water using devicesmay be any presently known or unknown device. At a residential site,water using devices include home appliances such as dish washers andclothes washers; other indoor water using devices such as toilets,showers and faucets, and outdoor devices such as irrigation systems,outdoor faucets that may, for example, be used to wash a car or cleanoff a driveway. Commercial and industrial sites may use some or all ofthe same devices as may be present at a residential site, but mayalternatively or additionally include water cooled machinery,particulate collectors, and so forth.

[0059] Other steps in FIG. 6 include a water meter measuring water flow610 and a pressure sensor measuring water pressure 620 during theexecution of the water using devices, and the recording node receivingthe water flow and pressure data 630.

[0060] The microprocessor, disposed in the recording node, generateswater use patterns from the daily water flow and water pressure data640. Water pressure is taken into consideration because variation inwater pressure causes differences in water flow values. Themicroprocessor is preferably programmed to store the water use signature650, and compare the signature against a future water use pattern 660 toidentify a flow anomaly with a specific water using device 670, andprovide information regarding the flow anomaly to the consumer and/orthird parties 680.

[0061] It is especially contemplated that the microprocessor generatedinformation may be utilized in helping the consumer and/or third partyto recognize excessive water usage 681. In one study, water consumptionwas reduced by as much as 20 gallons per day per individual by regularwater consumption feedback (William H. Bruvold, Municipal WaterConservation, California Water Resources Center, 1988, P. 40). Themicroprocessor generated information may also help in identifyingpossible leaks or broken heads 682, plugged sprinkler heads 683, andtoilets that don't shut off 684.

[0062] Although the previous paragraphs discuss excessive water use andwater flow anomalies, it is contemplated that corresponding systems andmethods may be used for detecting excessive use of gas and electricityand/or flow anomalies with gas and electricity. For example, when a gasflow anomaly is detected, the microprocessor 120, FIG. 1 in therecording node 100 can generate a warning that would be transmitted overthe network 370, FIG. 3 and through the communication node 360 to theconsumer 380 and/or third parties 381. Where gas usage is substantiallyhigher than normal, the microprocessor 120, FIG. 1 can be programmed toaffect the shutting off of the gas at the property. In a similar manner,systems and methods described herein can be used to detect unusuallyhigh uses of electricity, which may assist consumers 380, FIG. 3 inconserving electricity.

[0063] The signature method is discussed in greater detail in a recentpatent application, United States application serial numberPCT/US00/15480 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

[0064]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of basic steps illustrating the use of therecording node by a utility commodity provider in the billing of theconsumer and the monitoring of utility commodity usage. In step 700 theutility commodity flow data is received, stored and determined by therecording node. In step 710 the utility commodity information that isreceived and generated from the calculations is transmitted over thenetwork to the utility commodity provider via the communication node. Instep 720 the utility commodity provider may monitor the utilitycommodity information on a daily basis or any other time period. Anormal utility commodity use pattern may be established over a period oftime and if the use exceeds the normal by a set amount then a remindermay be sent to the consumer, step 730.

[0065] It is contemplated that with all three utility commodities,water, gas and electricity that appropriate signature data will begenerated to aid in the identification of utility commodity usage byutility commodity using devices so that flow anomalies may be detected.When flow anomalies are detected the utility provider may send remindersto the consumer.

[0066] It is contemplated that the microprocessor 120, FIG. 1 would beprogrammed to provide the information in step 730 directly to theconsumer. However, by providing this information also to the utilitycommodity provider in addition to the consumer may advantageouslyincrease the likelihood that potential utility commodity flow anomalieswill be checked and appropriate steps taken to correct the problem.Sending the information on flow anomalies to the utility commodityprovider would especially be beneficial, if the consumer is frequentlygone for extended periods of time from his/her residence.

[0067] Additionally, the utility commodity provider may use the utilitycommodity information received from the recording node to bill theconsumer, step 740. The recording node receives the water, electricityand gas flow data and transmits it to the appropriate entity so theconsumer may be billed for the utility commodity they use. Since onlyone device is required to obtain the water, gas and electricity flowdata and additionally send it to the utility commodity provider, thisshould result in substantial savings to the providers of these utilitycommodities, which should result in reduced utility commodity costs tothe consumer.

[0068]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of steps involved in the use of therecording node in the accommodating of imposed utility commodityrestriction requirements and in the exercising of judicious use of autility commodity when the utility commodity provider applies aconservation or peak pricing program to the utility commodity.Conservation pricing and peak pricing are used as incentives to get theconsumer to reduce total use of a utility commodity or reduce utilitycommodity usage during a specific time period of the day, respectively.Utility commodity restrictions, conservation pricing and peak pricingcould apply to anyone of the three commodities, water, electricity orgas. Although, certain practices are generally used with certaincommodities, such as conservation pricing with water and peak pricingwith electricity.

[0069] In step 800, the recording node receives, stores and determinesutility commodity flow data. In step 810, the utility commodity flowdata and other information, related to utility commodity usage, aretransmitted over the network to the consumers and third parties via thecomputer node (See FIG. 3).

[0070] In step 820, restrictions are imposed on the use of a utilitycommodity and/or the utility commodity provider initiates conservationor peak pricing programs on the use of a utility commodity. Theinformation on the restrictions, conservation pricing and/or peakpricing are transmitted over the network to the consumer and thirdparties via the computer node 830. Based on the information received theconsumers and third parties consider possible changes the consumer mightmake in their use of utility commodities 840. In step 850, the consumermodifies their utility commodity usage practices to accommodate imposedrestriction requirements on the use of a utility commodity and/or toachieve the least price impact from the initiation of a conservation orpeak pricing program by the utility provider. Some of the changes theconsumer may make, in their utility commodity usage, may be based onrecommendations they receive from third parties, such as, waterdistricts, electricity providers, and so forth 860.

[0071] It is contemplated that some of the changes in utility commodityusage will be automatically initiated based on programs that areinstalled in the microprocessor 870. The automatic modification ofirrigation schedules to accommodate watering restrictions is discussedin a recent patent application, United States application serial numberPCT/US00/22819 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

[0072] Thus, specific embodiments and applications of methods andapparatus of the present invention have been disclosed. It should beapparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those described are possible without departingfrom the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter,therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recording node at a consumer site comprising: a receiving device that receives at least one of utility commodity flow data, utility commodity pressure data, evapotranspiration (ETo) data, and environmental data; a storage device that stores the data; a determining device that determines usage data; and a sending device that transmits usage data to at least one of a consumer and a third party.
 2. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the recording node is embodied in an irrigation controller.
 3. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the recording node is embodied in a personal computer.
 4. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the received data is obtained from a device local to the consumer's site.
 5. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the received data is obtained from a device distal to the consumer's site.
 6. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the consumer's site is a residential site.
 7. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the consumer's site is a commercial site.
 8. The recording node of claim 1, further comprising a communication network over which the recording node receives data.
 9. The recording node of claim 8, wherein the network comprises a hardwire link to the consumer site.
 10. The recording node of claim 8, wherein the network comprises a wireless link to the consumer site.
 11. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the received data is directly received from at least one of a meter and sensor.
 12. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the received data is manually inputted at the consumer site.
 13. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the utility commodity is water.
 14. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the utility commodity is electricity.
 15. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the utility commodity is gas.
 16. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the flow data is received from a utility meter at the consumer site.
 17. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the flow data is received from a flow meter separate from the utility meter.
 18. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the flow data comprises raw data.
 19. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the ETo data comprises current ETo data.
 20. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the ETo data comprises estimated ETo data.
 21. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the ETo data comprises historical ETo data.
 22. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the environmental data includes data from at least one of air temperature, soil temperature, solar radiation, humidity, wind, cloud cover, and rainfall.
 23. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the storage device is a non-volatile memory.
 24. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the determining device comprises a microprocessor.
 25. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the usage data comprises at least one of utility commodity usage, utility commodity usage anomalies, preferred irrigation value, actual irrigation value, and results from the determination of a mathematical relationship between the preferred irrigation value and the actual irrigation value.
 26. The recording node of claim 25, wherein the utility commodity usage, preferred irrigation value and actual irrigation value is determined over a period of time.
 27. The recording node of claim 26, wherein the period of time is at least ten seconds.
 28. The recording node of claim 25, wherein the preferred irrigation value is at least partly derived from the received ETo data.
 29. The recording node of claim 25, wherein the preferred irrigation value is at least partly derived from a crop coefficient value.
 30. The recording node of claim 25, wherein the preferred irrigation value is at least partly derived from an irrigation efficiency value.
 31. The recording node of claim 25, wherein the actual irrigation value is at least partly derived by dividing the irrigation flow data by an area being irrigated.
 32. The recording node of claim 25, wherein the mathematical relationship is a ratio of the preferred irrigation value to the actual irrigation value.
 33. The recording node of claim 25, wherein the mathematical relationship is the difference between the preferred irrigation value and the actual irrigation value.
 34. The recording node of claim 1, wherein the transmitted information is transmitted over a communication network.
 35. The recording node of claim 34, wherein the network comprises a hardwire link
 36. The recording node of claim 34, wherein the network comprises a wireless link. 